A-Z EZ Caddy

ABSTRACT

A foldable fabric lawn and indoor/outdoor caddy that opens with a flexible spring wire loaded frame when placed on the ground. Debris/material can be swept/raked into the invention via its flexible 27″ rubber sweeping edge or by other means (shovel, hands, drop-cloth). The invention can then be closed together with its two handles and locked together for transport by the user. A rear fabric handle aides in the dumping/disposal of the aforementioned debris. The invention can then be placed on the ground ready for its next use. The invention can be used for clean-up, yard/garden work, as a drop-cloth, gather trash, and construction debris.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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SEQUENCE LISTING FOR COMPACT DISC

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BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are currently a variety of different single-purpose tools in theindoor and outdoor clean-up “Home” and “Lawn & Garden Industries”industries. The clean-up process can be slowed down and complicatedsignificantly if the user has to use multiple tools to accomplish theirproject.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention allows a user to use a single tool to accomplish theirclean-up projects in a more efficient manner. The invention'sversatility as a sweeping/raking receptacle, drop-cloth, carry-all, andits size, allows the user to make clean-up projects faster and moreefficient. The user can use fewer tools to accomplish their work. Noother tool like it exists and is new to the indoor/outdoor clean-up“Home” and “Lawn & Garden” industries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: A perspective view of the invention wherein the invention isshown being held in a semi-folded position by a user and the hands ofthe user are defined by broken lines. The arrows showing the motion ofthe spring-loaded frame opening to a flat position. (Note: The hands ofthe user that are shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Are for illustrativepurposes only and form no part of the claimed design.)

FIG. 2: A top view of the invention thereof wherein the invention isshown in an open and expanded position. The spring wire is shown keepingthe invention in an open position;

FIG. 3: A front view of the invention thereof with arrows showing thespring wire keeping the invention open and side walls upright ready fordebris to be swept in;

FIG. 4: A side view of the invention thereof wherein the spring wireshown flexing around the debris in a closed position;

FIG. 5: A bottom view of the invention thereof wherein the flexible wireshown keeping the invention in a fixed open position;

FIG. 6: A back view of the invention thereof wherein the invention is inan open and expanded position with back handle;

FIG. 7: A back view of invention thereof wherein the caddy is in asemi-folded position showing the motion of the spring wire flexing froma closed to open position. Keeping the invention open for the nextclean-up project;

FIG. 8: A perspective view of a second embodiment thereof wherein themotion of the spring wire flexing from a closed to an open position.

FIG. 9: A perspective view of the second embodiment foldable lawn andindoor/outdoor invention thereof having interlocking handles wherein theinterlocking handles are shown in a closed and locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a foldable fabric lawn and indoor/outdoor caddy with aflexible 27″ sweeping edge, self-opening frame (opens with sewn-inspring wires), and accepts all 24″ brooms & rakes.

The invention has handles on either side attached to internal rods witha locking device that keeps the invention closed.

The invention has a rear handle to help the user when dumpingmaterial/debris.

The invention we believe to fall under the classification of “D08-499”.The invention is a new entry into the clean-up industry and no otherinvention like it exists.

a. How the Invention Works:

The combination of the flexible sweeping edge, fabric construction andthe self-opening spring wire frame creates a unique clean-up tool.Debris can be swept/raked/shoveled into the invention wherein theinvention can then be closed and easily picked up by the locking handlesand rear support handle. The contents of the invention can then berelocated and easily dumped out by the user. The user can then unlockthe invention, lay it back down as it opens up, ready for its next use.

b. How to Make the Invention:

The components of this invention are similar to those used in the Lawn &Garden industry. The fabric grass catcher on a lawn mower has similarmanufacturing steps and material. The fabric is sewn together accordingto the specifications in the attached ‘drawings’. Metal rods (or similarstrength material) are inserted into either side of the invention andfabricated handles & locking mechanism are attach to the rods (the rodsslide through loops in the handles). The rubber sweeping edge is madefrom a mold (or similar flexible material) and is sewn to the front ofthe invention. A fabric handle is sewn to the rear of the unit. Flexiblespring wires are sewn into the fabric frame.

c. How to Use the Invention:

Place the invention on the ground and it will open. Material/Debris canthen be added via shovel, broom, rake, or by whatever mean the userdeems appropriate. The user then can grasp both of the handles, closethe invention, and then lock it closed. The material/debris can then berelocated and can be disposed/dumped by grabbing the rear handles andtilting the back of the invention in an upward direction. The user thencan unlock the invention, lay it back down on the ground ready for itsnext use.

Additionally: This invention can be used is all types of cleanupprojects, not just lawn and garden work.

d. The Invention Discussed Here Includes:

See attachment “Drawing Sheets”

e. Relationship Between the Components:

See attachment “Drawing Sheets”

SEQUENCE LISTING

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I claim:
 1. (canceled)
 2. A foldable spring opening lawn andindoor/outdoor debris carrier comprising: a firm but flexible flatmaterial body member being made of a material selected from the groupconsisting of: cloth, fabric, mesh, synthetic plastic polymer, orcomposites thereof; and said carrier comprised of four sections of thesaid flat material including: one square or rectangular center section,three sections affixed perpendicular to three sides through being sewnto the center section, and two structural rods sewn longitudinally intotwo of the upper portions of the flat material parallel sides that areaffixed to the center section and are the same length as the parallelsides, the material of the rods made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of: metal, plastic, or composites thereof; and anelongated bendable sweeping edge end piece comprised of: rubber,synthetic plastic polymer, or composites thereof; provided with alongitudinal fold to define a U shape to contain and be locked to eachrespective end of body member, affixed to the rectangular or squarecenter section by being sewn to or attached with an industrial strengthadhesive, the elongated bendable sweeping edge of said body member beingof sufficient rigidity, to resist tearing from any contact with a rake,broom, or the like, and a handle secured to each structural rod, and amechanical locking mechanism consisting of a Curved piece of materialbeing made of a material selected from the group consisting of: metal,synthetic plastic polymer, or composites thereof; attached to onestructural rod that is folded over the other rod and holds the bodymember in the folded position, and a handle is attached to the back ofsection of the flat material that is affixed to the body member and isnot supported structural with a rod made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of: cloth, fabrics, synthetic polymer, or compositesthereof, and two pieces of spring steel wire, in a gauge and thicknessto allow spring-opening and normal folding and bending, are sewn intothe center section of the body member parallel with the sweeping edgeand extending from the one side section to the other, said body memberdesigned to spring open and lay flat on the ground so that debris can beswept over the elongated bendable sweeping edge and placed thereon, saidbody member receptive to being folded by bringing together said handlestogether and locking said handles with mechanical locking mechanism aspreviously described herein, and said body member can be manuallycarried by said handles to a point of deposit